Increasing Diversity in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Background: Diversity is necessary for the survival and success of both biological and social systems including societies. There is a lack of diversity, particularly the proportion of women and minorities in leadership positions, within medicine.1, 2 In 2009 a group of ASPHO members recognized the need to support the career advancement of women and minority members. This article reports the results of a survey designed to characterize the comparative career pathway experience of women and minority ASPHO members. Procedure: A group of ASPHO colleagues modified a published 'faculty worklife' survey3 for use by Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologists (PHOs). A link to an online version of the survey was sent to all ASPHO members. Results: 213 of 1228 members (17%) responded. Women, minorities and non-tenure track PHOs reported less satisfaction than their counterparts on a variety of issues including the hiring process, access to resources as well as integration and satisfaction with their organizations. Women also expressed greater dissatisfaction with issues of work-life balance, support for family obligations and personal health. Conclusions: The current literature suggests that there are significant disparities in career opportunities, compensation and satisfaction for women (compared to men) and minority (compared to majority) faculty in academic medicine.4-7 Our data, derived from a survey of ASPHO members, suggests that this holds true for PHOs as well. The article also sumarizes a panel discussion at the 2010 ASPHO annual meeting that generated possible interventions to improve the career satisfaction and success of women and minority members.